In view of the heat wave conditions, power shortage and delayed monsoon rains, the Punjab Government today decided to change the timings of the offices in the state from Monday.

In view of the heat wave conditions, power shortage and delayed monsoon rains, the Punjab Government on Saturday decided to change the timings of the offices in the state from Monday.

The state cabinet at a meeting here today chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal decided that the offices would function from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm in place of the existing timings of 9 am to 5 pm, an official spokesman said.

The order effective for all the offices of the state as also those of various Corporations, Boards and other state undertakings would remain in force till further orders; he said adding that the state government offices located in Chandigarh would, however, function as per existing timings.

The meeting also decided to continue with the ban on the use of Air-conditioners in the government offices, boards and corporations in Punjab till further orders.

He said that the meeting also approved to provide free medical treatment to students studying in the Government, Government aided schools in the Health Institutions, including Community, Health Centers, Sub divisional hospitals and district hospitals run by Punjab Health Systems Corporation.

The decision has been taken as per the requirement of National Rural Health Mission's guidelines for school health programme, the spokesman said.